For many Dashboard Confessional fans the 17 years since their debut album, The Swiss Army Romance, vanished as those glory days of emotions, misspent youth and the ageless grace of 41-year-old lead vocalist Chris Carrabba graced the Marquee Theatre in Tempe, Arizona stage on Feb. 8, 2017, melt time away. Now their fans- a former group of adolescents who now hold down day jobs, have 1.2 kids, a mortgage, and a dog- managed to save enough of their hard earned dollars to spend an evening forgetting their cubicles and bills to just let go and revel in Dashboard Confessional. Opening for Dashboard Confessional on this tour is This Wild Life and Vinyl Theatre. Kevin Jorday (Lead vocals/rhythm guitar) and Anthony Del Grosso (Lead guitar/backing vocals) from Long Beach, California were a perfect fit to the evening's feel. This Wild Life always puts on a fine show and the band dedicated their set to a young girl who was in attendance with her parents, (as told to the audience this was her first concert and she was a big fan).TWL played their originals and one cover of Blink 182's “First Date” changing the lyrics a bit from, “Do you like my stupid hair?” to “Do you like my stupid beard?” Kevin Jorday did share the story behind the song “No More Bad Days” off their album Clouded. Kevin said that this song was written for his mom and how grateful he is for her. The song also talks about how strong she was when she had cancer and was going through Chemo. After a brief interlude Keegan Calmes, Chris Senner, and Nick Cesarz of Vinyl Theatre made their way to the stage and were warmly welcomed by their fans. A year ago to the night's date their former band member, Josh Ponthier, had left the band due to personal issues, but tonight Josh and his wife were in the crowd to support the band, as they are now Arizona residents.Vinyl Theatre performed three of their songs from their debut album released in 2014, Electrogram, and six songs off their new album coming out on May 12, called, Origami on their label Fueled By Ramen. Opening their set with one of their new tunes,“My Fault,” it's an indie electronic feel and immediately likable, a radio hit with a great hook. Bringing the crowd together in a dancing frenzy Vinyl Theatre went on to perform “Shine On” and “Breaking Up My Bones.” In their mix, they also included one cover, “Fix You” by Coldplay.

The wait was brief, but the energy for Dashboard Confessional was electrifying. After all it has been nearly eight years since Dashboard Confessional released a studio album and the same feelings stir within those who are fans... 'We feel you, Chris.' There is something in those lyrics we all can identify with in the land of teenage angst. Who still doesn't feel the deep emotion behind the tune-“Screaming Infidelities?”

“As for now I'm gonna hear the saddest songs

And sit alone and wonder

How you're making out...”

We have all been there and there wasn't anyone in the crowd who wasn't singing those lyrics as loud as they could right back at Chris.The evening's performance was filled with fan favorites — the opener, “So Long Sweet Summer,” “Stolen,” and “The Best Deceptions.” Maybe Arizona's favorite part though was how Chris began with a story about how he kissed a girl from Arizona under a bridge (Wondering if it was the bridge in Tempe that runs over the Salt River?) and he then went right into the song “Remember To Breathe” the crowd was thrilled. The entire venue seemed to sing along in unison for the entirety of the show, only stopping when Carrabba took a break from singing to address fans with stories, or political slants, which is a very common concert theme this year. Chris told the cheering crowd that they have a new record almost done, with the hopeful promise that it will be coming out later this year. The response was overwhelmingly supportive. Dashboard Confessional fans need their music.Another Arizona special perk was during Dashboard Confessional's set they invited Trevor Hedges from the Arizona Local Band called, Sundressed to come up on stage and sing one of their new tunes, “Something Good” from their up and coming album due out March 24th titled, A Little Less Put Together. As the night grew towards its final few moments Chris said to his audience, “This song is about the best day of my life” and in the encore “Hands Down” spun. Towards the end of the song, the entire band left the stage except for Chris. The mood was set, it was Chris and his fans. Together they sang the final lyrics of the song, “And I knew that you meant it, that you meant it, that you meant it, and I knew, that you meant it, that you meant it.”With that, Chris said, “Be good to each other, we'll see you soon.”And with another album just waiting for your emo ears to be caressed by... indeed Dashboard Confessional we will.

Your BANGS! All Time Favorites

The land of Michigan has given the world a deluge of multiple necessities and sheer pleasures outside of what at one time was the auto industry mecca. Like its heart and soul of the blue collared working person that breeds an indelible, almost pioneer spirit, the music from here reflects its surroundings as once again this 26th state, added to the Union in January of 1837, is having a rebirth. The possibility of this land known warmly for its industrial explosion in the region of the Great Lakes is now standing at possibly a new dawn... the creation of being a strong contender for the music scene, much like Nashville is today.

With this in mind, the resonating rock and blues plus more yet to be revealed have begun with the band, Greta Van Fleet. They are poised and ready to bring the elements of rock n' roll up to the next level.

Recently bassist Sam Kiszka of Greta Van Fleet took some time out while they are on tour to give their …

Stryper
Brings Metal Stings with Their 30th Anniversary Album Celebration Tour: To
Hell With the Devil with
Song River

It
was a 'sweet' celebration Stryper brought with them everything a
30th-anniversary celebration should bring and then some! The strength
and heart as the yellow and black brought the hard rock attack back
to Arizona, as the Nile Theatre was packed with die hard fans that
came from some sort of faith background so it seemed and included a
wide age group range.

Stryper
really was the premiere heavy metal Christian rock band that came
onto the scene back in the 80's and pioneered the way and without a
doubt still brings the best of it all today. Still working with the
original lineup of vocalist Michael Sweet, drummer Robert Sweet,
bassist Timothy Gaines and guitarist Oz Fox hitting the
30th-anniversary release, 1986's album, To Hell With the Devil.
The album spoke to so many when it was released and today those fans
who fell in love with To Hell With the De…

Adam Ant at the Celebrity Theatre by H. Reavis How does one categorize a man who is one part rock star, several parts romantic highwayman, a dash of the peculiar gentleman, and a whole lot of British? One doesn’t. He must be christened and his name yelled in revered abandon: it’s Adam Ant. With a career spanning more than thirty years, the charismatic Adam has enjoyed chart success, awards (particularly the Q Music Icon Award in 2008), movie roles including Drop Dead Rock with Debbie Harry, and sold out concert performances worldwide. His music videos revolutionized the visual aid for musicians with storytelling in lieu of the standard promo. Drawing from his experience in art school his videos chronicled the adventures of his romantic pirate alter ego in “Stand and Deliver” and “Prince Charming.”

Currently in the throes of another tour called Anthems, which is a follow-up to his successful Kings of the Wild Frontier Tour, Adam, and the band are bringing his extensive singles catalog to b…

Whether it is the challenge of growing up too fast, playing in a band that he loves, flying solo, working on music projects, the loss of a loved one, or just kicking back at home musician/singer-songwriter Michael Sweet greets each day as if it were to be his first and his last. With an eagerness to say yes and come what may. His faith in God has carried him to say, "I am not a man of many regrets." Song River: Being
on tour for a band must be an almighty passion. What is it though
that most bands do when they have a 'day off' while they are out
touring? Michael Sweet: To
be honest, aside from interviews and social media, it is a day we
finally get to do our laundry! [laughed] I am so OCD about doing
laundry. You got to be the first one up if you want to get it done. Song River: Laundry
day has to be a good day! When you are on the road and away from home
what are some of the things you miss? Michael Sweet: Of
course I don't like being away from my fam…